According to catholic tradition, mary magdalene was a beautiful woman who had led a sinful life. Upon meeting christ, she repented of her former ways. This painting characteristically depicts mary magdalene as a young woman with long blond hair, bared chest, and pale skin. Her eyes are turned sorrowfully towards god, and she is represented with a cross and a skull. Crespi has imitated the famous depictions of the same subject by another great bolognese painter guido reni (walters 37. 2631). Exquisitely executed, the painting's small size indicates that it was a private devotional image for prayer and meditation. Date: between circa 1725 and circa 1730 (Baroque). Place of creation: Bologna, Italy. Dimensions: Painted surface height: 23.5 cm (9.2 in); width: 17.9 cm (7 in). Medium: oil on copper. Collection: Walters Art Museum. Giuseppe Maria Crespi - The Penitent Magdalene - Walters 371130
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